Railway truck construction



c 30, 1 1 J. c. TRAVILLA, JR.', ET AL 2,573,232

7 RAILWAY TRUCK CONSTRUCTION Filed May 9, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet lfA/vfA/foxs EDMUND S. BECKET'TE JAMES C.TRAVILLA, JR.

1951 J. c. TRAVILLA, JR., ETAI. 2,573,232

RAILWAY TRUCK CONSTRUCTION Filed May 9, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NvE/vroRs; EDMUND -S. BECKETTE JAMES C.TRAv| LLA J Oct. 30, 1951 J. c.TRAVILLA, JR, ET AL 2,573,232

RAILWAY TRUCK CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 9, 1946 All/EM7-025 EDMUND S. BECKETTE Q J A L m v A R T C S E M A J Patented Oct. 30,1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TRUCK CONSTRUCTION James C.Travilla, Jr., Swarthmore, Pa., and

Edmund S. Beckette, EastSt. Louis, 111., assignors to General Steel! Qastings Corporation, Granite City, 111., a corporation of DelawareApplication May 9, 1946, Serial No. 668,506

13 Claims. 1

The invention relates to railway rolling stock and more particularly torailway trucks of the type in which the load supporting bolster and.truck frame have relative movement laterally of the truck to accommodatetrack irregularities, alternate tangent and curved track and otherconditions tending to create side thrusts between the vehicle body andtruck.

One object of the invention is to reduce initial resistance to relativelateral movement of the truck frame and the bolster sothat the truckresponds readily to lateral forces and thereby absorbs entirely or atleast the greater portion of the shock due to small track irregularitieswithout causing undesirable lateral movement of the car body or theapplication of undesirable shocks thereto.

Another object of the invention is to cushion and damp lateral movementof the truck frame relative to the bolster due to lateral thrust pro- 7ducing forces and thereby to reduce to a minimum the swaying andlurching of the car body.

Other detail objects, as will appear from the following description, areattained by the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is in part a side elevation and in part a longitudinalvertical section of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section the left hand portion of whichis taken approximately on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 and the right handportion of which is taken approximately on the line 2a2a of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of the bolster 1 mounting, partially insection, corresponding to Figure 1 but showing another embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 4 is a section taken approximately on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail of the bolster mounting, partly in section,corresponding to the central part of Figure 1 but showing anotherembodi: ment of the invention, and

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6.6 of Figure 5.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the truckincludes wheels I, axles 2, journal boxes 3 which support equalizers 4on which are mounted truck springs 5 which carry a truck frame 5. Thetruck is of the lateral motion bolster type and has pairs of swinghangers 1 and 8 at opposite sides of the truck pivotally suspended fromframe 6 by pins 9. Each pair of hangers has a cross-bar I U pivoted totheir lower ends by pins H A spring plank I2 extends later-1 ally ofthe. truck and is supported from crosssbar It at points on the sprinplank spa ed apart a greater distance than pins 9 so that hangers l, and8 are inclined downwardly and outwardly as is customary in this type oftruck.

Near the ends of spring plank I2 are mounted coil springs I8 whichsupport a bolster [9 on which is mounted the vehicle body (not shown).Shock absorbers 20 are connected to the outer ends of bolster l9 and.spring plank 12 to damp vertical movement of the. bolster relative tothe spring plank. Preferably they offer little or no resistance to theforces compressing the bloster springs but snub the rebound.

Positioned between spring plank l2 and each cross-bar In is an adapterl3, preferably of steel. and a yieldable pad I4 formed of alternatelayers of rubber and steel bonded together. Cross-bars II] have upwardlyextending flanges or cars I15 and adapters [3 have downwardly extendingflanges or ears I6. Elements l5 and I6 form a cage-like structure forretaining pads l4 against accidental removal.

Between each adapter I3 and spring plank I2 is a wedge filler H whichpositions the upper and lower surfaces of pads l4 normal to the longi.tudinal axes of swing hangers "l and 8 so that when the bolster is inthe central position shown in Figure 2, bolster loads on the rubber padwill be applied to the pad in the same direction as the inclination ofthe swing hangers. The rub ber pad is subject to distortion undercompress sion due to the bolster load and is subject to shearingstresses due to lateral forces to provide a small amount of movement ofthe spring plank and bolster laterally of the truck relative to theswing hanger and truck frame without necese sarily causing swingingaction of the swing hangers. The distortion under compression offers aninsulation to damp vertical vibrations, and the distortion under shear,in addition to pro-. viding a small amount of movement of thespringplank and bolster relative to the swing hanger and truck frame as aunit, also cushions and damps lateral shocks which are great. enough tocause swinging action of the swing hangers.

The rubber pad is also in part further come pressed and in part relievedof compressiondur ing angular movements of swing hangers 1 and 8 fromtheir normal position. When such move ments occur, the spring plankremains substan: tially horizontal and the bottom surface of adapter l3remains at substantially the same in! clination from the horizontal forthe entire move ment of the swing hangers. However, the inclination ofthe top surface of cross-bar l9 will change as the hangers swinglaterally. Since these two surfaces are engaged by the top and bottomsurfaces of the rubber pads, there occurs, during lateral movements ofthe hangers, a, variation from a normal parallel relationship to one inwhich these surfaces are at an angle to each other. Thus, if the bolsterswings to the left, the left hand portion of the rubber pad toward theoutside of the truck will be further compressed while the right handportion toward the center of the truck will be partly relieved fromcompression. Such change in the distortion of the rubber pad will tendto cushion such lateral thrusts and produce easy riding qualities, whileunder the ordinary arrangement where no rubber pad is used, the staticfrictional resistance between the bottom bar and the spring plank mustbe overcome before angular movement of the swing hangers will occur, andsuch static frictional resistance would produce lateral shocks whichwould be transmitted to the car body, re sulting in bad ridingqualities.

Having the bolster load applied to the rubber pad in the same directionas the lengthwise axis of the swing hangers will eliminate lateraldistortion due to normal angularity of the hanger as compared to anarrangement in which the 'upper and lower faces of the rubber pads arehorizontal instead of inclined as shown. If the pad were arrangedhorizontally, the rubber would be under strain at all times due to thelateral component induced by the application of the bolster load to therubber pad in a direction in line with the lengthwise axis of the swinghanger, but when the pad is inclined as shown, no lateral component ofthe bolster load is applied to the rubber pad but the lateral componentdue to the inclination of the swing hangers is applied to the springplank.

Pads l4 preferably are of such flexibility that the initial resistanceto distortion of the pads during initial transverse movement of springplank |2 relative to truck frame 6 is less than the force necessary toovercome resistance to starting of swinging movement of hangers l and 8,due to static friction between the hangers and pins 9 and il. Thepivotal connection between each pair of swing hangers 1 and 8 andcross-bars I is above the bottom surfaces of pads M. This arrangementprovides greater stability of the support for the pads than if thepivotal mounting were below the lower surfaces of the pads. If desired,lateral ties 2| between spring plank i2 and bolster [9 may be usedtoprevent lateral distortion of the bolster springs under thrustsexceeding those which will be absorbed by the action of the swinghangers.

As the truck encounters lateral irregularities in the track producinglateral shocks insufiicient to overcome the static frictional resistancebetween pins 9 and swing hangers and 8 and move the swing hangers, thenwheels I, truck frame 6 and swing hanger and 8 move laterally as a unitrelative to spring plank l2 and bolster I9, and pads I4 are subjected toshear forces and distort to accommodate initial lateral movement ofthese parts permitting spring plank l2 and bolster l9 to remainundisturbed. If the lateral force is greater, then frictional resistancebetween pins and hangers I and 8 is overcome and the force tending tomove the spring plank and bolster laterally is absorbed or at leastyieldingly resisted by movement of the swing hangers and the furtherdistortion of pads l4. After the lateral force is absorbed, then springplank l2 and bolster l9 assume their original positions with respect toframe 6. However, any oscillatory movement of spring plank |2 andbolster 9 relative to the vehicle and truck frame is clamped by pads l4,thus preventing or reducing swaying and lurching of the car body.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, pairs ofswing hangers 22 are suspended pivotally from a truck frame 23 by pin 24at opposite sides of the truck, each pair of hangers carrying across-bar 25 on which is mounted a bearing 28 supporting a seat 21.Mounted on each seat 27 are yieldable pads 28 supporting the adjacentend of a spring plank 29. Pads 28 are similar to pads |4 shown inFigures 1 and 2. Projecting downwardly from spring plank 29 and upwardlyfrom seats 21 are cars 39 and 3|, respectively, arranged to maintainpads 28 in position between these parts.

The spring plank has integral elements 23a inclined to the horizontaland engaging the upper faces of pads 28 to transfer static thrusts tothe pads in line with the longitudinal axis of swing hangers 22. Coilsprings 32 support the load carrying bolster 33 from the spring plank asin the form previously described.

The structure shown in Figures 3 and 4 operates similarly to thestructure shown in Figures 1 and 2, but shows the invention as appliedto swing hanger and cross-bar assembly of conventional design as are incommon use.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 the swinghangers 35 are suspended pivotally from each side of a truck frame 36 bypins 31, each hanger consisting of a single member having the cross-bar38 formed as a part thereof. Mounted on cross-bar 38 is a seat 39 withdownwardly extending flanges 40 fitting over the cross-bar to hold seat39 in place on the cross-bar. Pads 4| are mounted on seat 39 and aresimilar to pads |4 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and pads 28 in Figures 3 and4. The bolster 42 is supported at it ends directly on pads 4|.Projecting downwardy from the bolster and upwardly from seat 39 are ears43 and 44, respectively, arranged to maintain pads 4| in positionbetween these parts.

With this arrangement any lateral movement of the bolster relative tothe truck frame causing pivotal movement of swing hangers 35 about pins3'! will subject approximately one-half of the rubber pad 4| to furthercompression than its normal compression under vertical loading while theother half will be relieved of compression as previously described inthe arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Trucks of this type in which the bolster is nonspring supported from thetruck frame are particularly adapted for non-passenger carryingvehicles, but the one-piece swing hanger arrangement may be used ontrucks provided with bolsters supported by springs mounted on springplanks such as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.

The details of construction may be varied substantially withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use ofnovel structure a described and coming within the scope of the claims iscontemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a railway truck including a truck frame, swing hangers pivotallysuspended from the sides 01 said truck frame at an angle to the verticaland a truck load supporting member extending from :side to side of thetruck and associated with the swing hangers and movable laterally of thetruck relative to said truck frame, a yieldable pad supporting themember from the hangers and positioned with its upper and lowerfacesperpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the swing hangers andarranged to accommodate atleast a portion of the relative lateralmovement betweenthe truck frame and the member.

2; In a railway truck including a truck frame, swing hangers pivotallysuspended therefrom, a cross-bar carried by said swing hangers and aspring plank associated with said cross-barand movable laterally of thetruck relative to said truck frame, a yieldable pad between said springplank and said cross-bar arranged to "distort to accommodate at least aportion of the lateral movement between said truck frame and said springplank, and a wedge filler between said spring plank and said yieldablepad to incline the upper and lower faces of the yieldable pad so theyare perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the swing hangers.

3. In a railway truck including a truck frame, elongated swing hangerspivotally suspended therefrom, a cross-bar carried by said swing hangersand a spring plank associated with said cross-bar and movable laterallyof the truck relative to said truck frame, a yieldable pad between saidspring plank and said cross-bar arranged to distort to accommodate atleast a portion of the lateral movement between said truck frame andsaid spring plank, the pad engaging portion of the spring plank beinginclined from the horizontal and disposed normal to the longitudinalaxes of the swing hangers.

4. In a railway truck including a truck frame, swing hangers pivotallysuspended therefrom, a cross bar pivotally carriedby said swing hangersand a spring plank associated with said crossbar and movable laterallyrelative to said truck frame, a yieldable pad supporting said springplank on said cross-bar, the pivotal connection between said cross-barand said swing hangers being above the bar supported portion of saidpad, a wedge between the spring plank and yielde able pad with its facesinclined to providefor the application of the load on the pad in adirection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the swing hangers toavoid lateral shearing of thepad by the normal bolster load.

5. A railway truck including a truck frame, elongated swing hangershingedly suspended therefrom and normally inclined from the vertical anda cross-bar carried thereby, a yieldable pad mounted on said cross-bar,an adapter carried by said yieldable pad with its pad-engaging facedisposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the hanger, saidcross-bar and said adapter having flanges arranged to hold saidyieldable pad in position therebetween but accommodating lateraldistortion of the pad by shear forces applied to its upper and lowerfaces, and a springplank supported by said adapter and movable laterallyof said truck frame, at least a portion of the lateral movement beingattained by distortion of said yieldable pad.

6. A railway truck including a truck frame, pairs of elongated swinghangers pivotally suspended frcm each side of said frame, a cross-barcarried pivotally by each of said pairs of swing hangers, a bolsterspring plank extending between said cross-bars and movable laterallyrelative to said truck frame, a yieldable pad positioned between saidspring plank and each of said cross bars and arranged to distort toaccommodate at least a portion of the lateral move-, ment between saidtruck frame and said spring plank independently of the swing hangermove-' ment, said spring plank holding the cross-bars spaced apart sothat the hangers are inclined downwardly and outwardly of the truck whenthe parts are in central position, and elements between the spring plankand the pads present ing pad engaging surfaces inclined from thehorizontal so as to be normal to the longitudinal axes of the inclinedswing hangers.

'7. In a railway truck including a truck frame, swing hangers, pivotallysuspended therefrom, a bolster and bolster supporting springs, ayielding pad supported from the lower portions of said swing hangers andsupporting the bolster springs and normally free of opposing lateralthrusts along its upper and lower faces but arranged to distort undershear to accommodate at least a portion of the relative movement of thebolster and truck frame transversely of the truck independently of theswing hanger movement.

3. In a railway truck includinga truck frame, swing hangers pivotallysuspended therefrom, a bolster and bolster supporting springs, ayielding pad, means pivotally supporting said pad from the lowerportions of said swing hangers, said ,pads supporting the bolstersprings and normally free of opposing lateral thrusts along its upperand lower faces but arranged to distort under shear to accommodate atleast a portion of the relative movement of the bolster and truck frametransversely of the truck independently of the swing hanger movement.

9. In a railway truck including a truck frame, swing hangers suspendedfrom the frame at opposite sides of the truck, and a bolster, a yieldingpad associated with the hangers at each side of the truck and throughwhich the bolster is supported from the associated swing hangers, theupper and lower faces of the pads extendin at right angles to the axesof the associated hangers when the bolster is in its central position,the hangers at one side of the truck swinging inwardly thereof and thehangers at the other side of the truck swingin outwardly thereof whenthe bolster moves laterally of the truck in one direction away from itscentral position, the pad associated with said latter-mentioned swinghangers then being subjected. to increased com:-

, pression in its portion toward the outside of the truck and beingpartially relieved of compression in its portion toward the center ofthe truck, and the pad associated with the other swing hangers thenbeing subjected to increased compression in its portion toward thecenter of the truck and being partially relieved of compression in itsportion toward the outside of the truck.

10. In a railway truck including a truck frame, swing hangers suspendedfrom the frame at opposite sides of the truck and inclined downwardlyand outwardly, and a load supporting member extendin from side to sideof the truck, a yielding pad associated with the hangers at each side ofthe truck and through which the member is supported from the associatedswing hangers, each of said pads having a hanger supported surface and amember supporting surface positioned substantially perpendicularly tothe hanger axis when the member is in its central position laterally ofthe truck, said surfaces of each pad assuming a different relation toeach other when the member moves away from its central position and thehangers at one side of the truck swing inwardly thereof and the hangersat the other side of the truck swing outwardly thereof, the padassociated with said latter-mentioned swin hangers being subjected toincreased compression in its portion toward the outside of the truck and.being partially relieved of compression in its portion toward thecenter of the truck, and the pad associated with the other swing hangersbeing subjected to increased compression in its portion toward thecenter of the truck and being partially relieved of compression in itsportion toward the outside of the truck.

11; In a railway truck including a truck frame with elongated swinghangers having pivotal supports on the sides of the frame and a rigidmember extending from side to side of the truck and normally holdingsaid hangers inclined downwardly and outwardly from their pivotalsupports, truck load supporting structure carried by said member, a padof rubber-like material between the lower end of each hanger and theadjacent end of said member, the upper and lower faces of each of saidpads being normal to the longitudinal axis of the hanger extending fromthe pivotal supports of the associated hangers through the pads, thehangers and member normally clearing the sides of the pads and thelatter being normally free from distortion under shear exerted laterallyof the truck by the superimposed load, said pads being free to distortin shear under thrust applied laterally of the truck in oppositedirections to said hangers and said member and thereby accommodate atleast a portion of resulting lateral movement between the truck frameand the truck load.

. 12. In a railway truck includin a bolster extending transversely ofthe truck with supporting springs at each side of the truck and a truckframe with elongated swing hangers. at each side of the truck havingsuspension pins on the truck frame, a, yielding pad at each side of thetruck, elements supporting each of said pads from the lower ends of theadjacent swing hangers, and elements on said pads forming the sOlesupport for the bolster springs, each of said elements having a padengaging surface extending at right angles to the longitudinal axes ofthe associated hangers when the bolster is in its central position, saidelements at opposite sides of the truck moving through differentlyinclined paths, as the hangers swing on their suspension pins and therelative inclination of the top and bottom surfaces of the pads changeduring movement of the bolster laterally of the truck from said centralposition, and the portion of each pad toward the adjacent side of thetruck and the portion of each pad toward the center of the truckdistorting unequally during such movement.

13. In a railway truck, a bolster extending transversely of the truck,bolster supporting springs at each side of the truck, a truck frame,elongated swing hangers at each side of the truck suspended from thetruck frame and inclined downwardly and outwardly, a yielding pad ateach side of the truck, elements supporting each of said pads from theadjacent swing hangers, and elements on said pads forming the solesupport for the bolster springs, each of said elements having a padengaging surface, said surfaces and the upper and lower faces of thepads extending at right angles to the longitudinal axes of theassociated hangers when the bolster is in its normal central position,said elements and surfaces at opposite sides of the truck moving throughdifferently inclined paths and the relative inclination of their topfaces changing during a lateral movement of the bolster from saidposition, the pad associated with swing hangers at one side of the truckbeing subjected to increased compression in its portion which is towardthe outside of the truck and being partially relieved of compression inits portion which is toward the center of the truck as the associatedhanger swings outwardly, and the pad associated with the other swinghanger being subjected at the same time to increased compression in itsportion which is toward the center of the truck and being partiallyrelieved of compression in its portion which is toward the outside ofthe truck.

JAMES C. TRAVILLA, JR. EDMUND S. BECKETTE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 800,921 Kiesel Oct. 3, 19051,762,886 OBrien June 10, 1930 1,886,533 Davis Nov. 8, 1932 2,061,767Hobson Nov. 24, 1936 2,189,125 Blomberg Feb. 6, 1940

